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Art Education

Advice and news about arts education to be found here. Honest review of educational sites all around the art world.

'Light Art' vs 'Light and Space' Art'Light Art' can be recognized as far back as the Medieval period with stained glass, whereas the 'Light and Space' art movement hails from the 1960s. I’ll discuss artists who bring art to life through light.

Action Figures + #MeToo in Art from 17thc ItalyIt may be surprising to know that action figures didn’t begin with Superman. I’ll discuss what I believe to be their origin and a goddess in Greek mythology who would certainly have been part of the #MeToo conversation.

Are Millennials as Art Savvy as the Old?Today, the sheer number of millennials exceeds all other generations. But are they as art knowledgeable as former generations? I’ll discuss why museums compete to attract 'Generation Y'.

Are Museums Still Important or Obsolete?Smartphones show us sharp images of art - at our fingertips – anywhere, anytime. So why would anyone travel to a museum, wait in line, and pay an admission fee? I’ll explain the changing world of museums.

Artists Fascinated by Darkness + ShadowsMystery writers capture our imagination as to what/who lurks in the darkness. What does the 'Shadow' know? I’ll discuss artists who distinguish shadow from light in the mediums: engraving, etching, and painting.

Artists Inspire Popular Baby Names A-GAugust is the month when more births occur in the US. In a time where (almost) anything goes, let’s look at artists who we admire and how they have inspired popular baby names. I’ll discuss names A-G.

Artists that Convey Time & MotionAt the beginning of the 20th century, the Futurist movement in art captured the essence of time and space. I’ll discuss artists that preceded them and yet others that followed suit later.

Axing Art / Defending Balthus + the METWho could imagine that art would once again be deemed so offensive as to be asked to be removed from public view? Remember 'degenerate art' during WWII? I stand with the MET museum: Balthus stays. My comments.

Cool Down Viewing Seascapes in ArtYou can escape the heat of the summer by visiting a museum or viewing paintings online of the sea – seascapes. I will discuss many notable works by both Americans and European artists.

Couples from the Bible & Mythology in ArtLove stories from the Bible and mythology are perhaps most endearing when expressed visually – through art. I’ll discuss these couples and the artists who bring their stories to life.

Craft or Art – Who Decides?The art society consists of different factions: purists vs those who consider an elephant an artist. Who decides whether someone’s handmade object is suitable for a museum (art) or just homemade (craft)?

Crowdfunding Saved Louvre 'Winged Victory'One of France’s beloved national treasures is the marble statue 'Winged Victory' at the Louvre. With the public’s help - through crowdfunding - restoration of this magnificent statue was made possible. I’ll explain.

Dark, Macabre, Grotesque Themes in ArtDark, Macabre, and Grotesques themes in art can best be described as your worst nightmares. Why would artists choose to express themselves in this way? I’ll discuss my interpretations.

Demons, Demon Tamers + 'The Lost' in ArtWe’re all familiar with author Dan Brown’s book/movie 'Angels and Demons', but the story of terror by demons can be traced back to Chinese mythology. I’ll discuss art that depicts these timeless themes.

From Ancient Board Games to Video Gaming TodayBy definition, a game is played by one or more persons. In our culture it is said that 'everyone's a gamer'. I'll discuss the origin of board games and how they relate to video gaming today.

Gender Equality for Angels in ArtVarious religions (including paganism) have described or left their interpretation of angels in some form of art. I’ll discuss where angels may have first appeared and why they popularize folklore and religion.

Hollywood Imitates Art and History'Hollywood' conjures thoughts of glitz and glamour – movies made to entertain. I’ll explain how this center of the American entertainment industry has 'borrowed' from art and history.

How Claude Monet Inspired Abstract ArtistsFrench Impressionist artist Claude Monet is perhaps best known for his series of 250 'Water Lilies' painted at his Giverny home and atelier. I'll discuss the 'impression' Monet made on abstract art.

Illusion in Art - Dreams + Trompe l'OeilSigmund Freud said the unconscious is represented in dreams. The Surrealists pioneered this maverick movement which led to trompe l’oeil in fine art and street art. I’ll discuss their influences.

Imagery with Hidden Meanings in ArtThroughout history, it is common for artists to devise a hidden meaning in their paintings – symbols, signs, messages. I’ll discuss some more notable artists and works that may be surprising to some.

Independence Day & Liberty in ArtAs we have learned from history, independence comes with a price: lives, cost, property. On the eve of July 4th, I salute those who have fought for independence in US and abroad. I will discuss some notables.

Laborers in Art - 19th c FranceThe strong connection between literature and art brought us French novelist Emile Zola and friend Edgar Degas. I will discuss Degas and other French artists who painted laborers.

Mark Rothko - Rectangles in ArtMark Rothko is an American abstract artist who's 'classic' paintings are in rectangular forms. I'll discuss his works and an exhibit at the MFA Boston.

Meet the Bruegel Family – 16th c Painters Pieter Bruegel the Elder was born on the Dutch-Belgian border. Best known for European landscapes, his two sons would also become notable artists. I’ll discuss their illustrious works.

More Than Paint - Our Response to ColorsArtists feeling blue? What about black and white not technically 'colors' (according to physics). Historically, artists have used these three 'colors' magnificently. Who used them best? I'll discuss.

Movie : The Da Vinci CodeFor a reader enamored with the book, the movie The Da Vinci Code fell a bit short of my expectations -- but not by too much...

Mysteries Surrounding Death of Cleopatra in ArtThe circumstances surrounding Cleopatra’s death is that of legends and lore. Many artists painted the death of the queen of Egypt being bitten by an asp. I will discuss these paintings and the backstory.

Pegasus the Winged Horse in ArtPegasus (in Latin) or Pegasos (in Greek) was a beautiful winged horse that could fly. Its image was reproduced on ancient coins and vessels along with their gods. I'll discuss which art and why.

Realism (Perfect/Imperfect) of Nature in ArtRegarding nature, the sketching and painting of flowers, fruit, and insects in states of perfection and decay will be discussed, as well as the artists: Caravaggio, Fantin-Latour, Delacroix, and others.

Repetiton in Art (Series) - Intent or ObsessionRepetition in art takes on different elements such as: mass production or working on multiple pieces until its creator is satisfied. I’ll discuss artists and art objects that fit into these criteria.

Temptation of Christ, Saints, Mortals in ArtThe theme of temptation appears often in religious art - Christ and Saint Anthony. I will discuss their circumstances as well as Adam and Eve, and (surprisingly) a car commercial with the same theme.

The Circle – Its Significance & Meaning in ArtAs a universal symbol, 'the circle' was first associated with the planets. Rooted in geometry, religion, and astronomy, I’ll discuss its beginnings and influence on artists during the Renaissance.

The Effect of the 'Grand Tour' on ArtWealthy young men took the 'Grand Tour' of Europe from the 17th-19th c. I’ll discuss the alluring mystery behind this extraordinary adventure for the privileged that would unequivocally affect the world of art.

The Most Influential Art Buyers from Gulf StatesHere, I will discuss two art buyers from their respective Arab States that border the Persian Gulf. One male, one female, they have attracted world-wide attention to their countries and culture.

The Traits of an Heiress as Art CollectorSome women are privileged to be the recipients of their parents' wealth. I'll showcase four notable, wealthy women as art collectors and museum founders. I'll also mention a modern day 'fake' heiress.

Those Suffering Persecutions Found in ArtDuring the Easter season, Christians around the world are reminded of Christ’s death & resurrection. Those suffering persecutions because of political or religious beliefs have been represented in art.

Understanding Licensing Art & Artistic LicenseThese phrases may sound similar but they are quite different in that 'licensing art' is an agreed upon legal agreement, yet 'artistic license' is deliberate or unintentional by an artist. I’ll discuss both.

Water as a Life Force in ArtWe know the importance of drinking water to sustain our bodies. Many artists used water as a central or accompanying figure in their work. I’ll discuss those who I think capture the essence of water best.

Women with Long Flowing Hair in ArtCarved nautical figureheads may come to mind when you think of women with long, flowing hair. I’ll discuss artists that use this stereotypical 'attractive' woman as models.

Words + Wordsmiths - the Language of ArtistsSpeech and the spoken word are powerful means of communication, but some artists convey thoughts through written words. I’ll discuss artists who used various mediums from the 15th c to the present.

Words of 2016 also Popular in Art WorldThe Merriam-Webster dictionary announced their list of the most searched words for 2016. I found a few to be words that may have had their roots from the world of art. I’ll discuss their popularity.